Royce 5’9" Announces New Album ‘Layers’

Royce 5’9” (formerly stylized as Royce da 5’9”) is releasing his first solo album in nearly five years.

Layers follows 2011’s Death Is Certain. Royce explains that Layers will focus on the things he’s learned since being in successful groups such as Slaughterhouse, PRhyme and Bad Meets Evil. It differentiates from Death Is Certain by showcasing a more complete body of work.

“This album was the first album that I spent a lot of time putting it together as a complete thought,” he says in a press release. “Most of my albums reflect an emotion based off of my feelings. Death Is Certain was dark because of everything I was going through; this album reflects my emotion, but also my thoughts. I've learned a lot from being apart of B.M.E, Slaughterhouse and PRhyme and I've had the opportunity to use all of those experiences to better myself as artist, so it's very exciting to see how those experiences will affect my career.”

Layers will be executive produced by Mr. Porter and Royce. He says it was easygoing experience working with former D12 member Denaun Porter. “Denaun is a genius and working with him is one of my comfortable working zones,” he says. “I like working with everyone I've worked with a lot on this project but Denaun's super easy and a lot like myself in a lot of ways.”

For a taste of what’s to come, watch him spit a verse from “Hard” acapella above. Layers will be out on April 15.